Pat Riley

"Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better." - Pat Riley

The driving force behind the L.A. Lakers' memorable "Showtime" era, Riley took Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the rest of the high-flying team to four NBA titles in nine years. Though there have been no championships since, Riley has broken records with both the New York Knicks and currently, the Miami Heat. He is the second winningest coach in NBA history and the fastest manager in any of the four pro sports to reach 1,000 wins. His intense manner and slick style has made him a figure to remember for all time.

MAGNETISM

Some men carry themselves with a confidence that brings in women left and right, and Riley is one of those men. Though he's getting on in age, time has been kind to him and every time we watch a Heat game, women in the vicinity always ask who that handsome man on the sidelines is.

If his energy and charisma aren't evident, his suave mafia-style look, accentuated by the sweetest suits money can buy, is there to lure the opposite sex in.

SUCCESS

Riley did not take long to prove himself in the NBA. Taking over as coach of the Los Angeles Lakers 11 games into the 1981-1982 season, he led this future dynasty to a championship.

In 1985, as an intense rivalry developed between Boston and L.A., Riley's team outlasted Larry Bird and the Celtics, and took home another trophy. Two of the game's greatest, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, helped cement the 1980s Lakers as one of the best teams in history, as they became repeated champions in 1987 and 1988. All this, of course, thanks to Riley's tutelage.

Riley moved on to coach the New York Knicks in 1991, elevating them from dregs of the league to one of the top teams, reaching the NBA finals in 1994. After four years in the Big Apple, he left as the coach with the highest winning percentage in team history. He took home a second Coach of the Year award in 1993, having brought home his first in 1990 with L.A.

In 1995, he moved on to coach the Miami Heat, another team in need of rebuilding. His eight years with the squad has brought six playoff appearances and demonstrated that he is capable of rehauling and creating a winner wherever he goes.

As President of the Heat as well, Riley has a say in many of the franchise's moves and has conducted many impressive deals. These include bringing center Alonzo Mourning into the fold in 1995, signing Lamar Odom in 2003, and cultivating the career of All-Star point guard Tim Hardaway.

Currently, Riley is the second-winningest coach in NBA history for both regular season and playoff games. He reached 1,000 wins quicker than any other professional sports coach (he did it in 1,434 games).

When the NBA observed its 50th anniversary in 1996, Riley was honored as one of the Top 10 Coaches of All Time. The records could go on and on, as he has also had seven 60-win seasons, most of any coach in history.

Riley doesn't sit back despite these impressive stats, however, as he remains immersed in rebuilding a struggling Miami team once again and is deeply involved in several local charities, including the YMCA.

Pat Riley Biography

The town of Schenectady, New York is Patrick Riley's place of birth, as he came into this world on March 20th, 1945. Athleticism ran in his family, as his father Leon had a brief stint as a catcher and outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies and remained in the organization as a manager. Brother Lee was a defensive back in the NFL for several seasons, and Pat carried this sporting tradition as a basketball and football star at Linton High School, whose gym now bears his name.

smartly chose b-ball over gridiron

Though he could have played football for the famous Bear Bryant in Alabama, Riley instead was taken under the wing of another legendary coach, Adolph Rupp, at the University of Kentucky. A three-time team MVP, Riley and the Wildcats went as far as the NCAA finals, losing to Texas Western in 1966.

Upon graduation, Riley was drafted by both the NFL and the NBA. The Dallas Cowboys drafted him in the 11th round in 1967, but this two-sport star decided to stick with basketball, where he was more highly touted. The San Diego Rockets picked him seventh overall that same year and, after three seasons, he joined a stellar L.A. Lakers team for five more seasons.

In the 1972 campaign, Riley and his team won 33 consecutive games and took home the NBA championship. His playing career ended in 1976, with the Phoenix Suns.

had major win in first year as coach

Though he was no longer an active participant in the sport, Riley maintained a strong love for basketball. Coaching was in his blood, and he instantly gravitated toward it.

Paul Westhead, head coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, brought Riley in as assistant coach in 1980. The team had a great season, and Riley gained much experience as the team took home the championship once again.

The 1981-1982 season started off badly for the Lakers, and before they could slide even further, management fired Westhead and promoted Riley to head coach after 11 games. This was his golden opportunity -- the team boasted a young Magic Johnson, as well as the peerless Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

With intensity and confidence, Riley instilled in his players the belief that they could win, and they did just that, becoming world champs once again.

created a dynasty in '80s

Showtime had arrived in L.A., and a rivalry between the Lakers and Celtics, led by Larry Bird, soon developed. They battled throughout the 1980s, arguably the NBA's heyday, and Riley was hailed as a legend after his nine seasons on the West Coast.

He added three more championships in '85, '87 and '89. In each season, he won the division title, and, in 1990, he was voted the NBA's Coach of the Year.

brought the heat in nyc and miami

With accolades such as these, the New York Knicks did not hesitate to sign Riley for the 1991 season. He rejuvenated the franchise, bringing a winning attitude, which translated into a NBA Finals appearance in 1994. He received Coach of the Year honors again in 1993, and revived the franchise in his four seasons with the team.

Much hope surrounded South Florida after Riley announced he would be taking over as President and Head Coach of the Miami Heat in 1995. Once again, his goal was to revamp a losing team and, with time, he did just that.

The Heat became habitual Eastern Conference championship-contenders, behind the strength of players like Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway. With the players that supported him during his 1996-1997 Coach of the Year run now gone, he has more rebuilding to do as a coach. Two losing seasons have brought the pressure to win again, but considering Riley's past, fans of the Heat should not lose hope.

inspirational man off the hardwood too

Outside of basketball, where he is considered one of the top 10 coaches of all time and has the second most regular season wins in history, Riley remains a charitable man.

With his wife Chris, he has contributed to community outreach centers, AIDS charities and the YMCA. He is also the author of two books, Showtime: Inside The Lakers' Breakthrough Season and The Winner Within: A Life Plan for Team Players, and has made a 30-minute motivational video entitled Teamwork. A real motivator and great speaker, Success magazine hailed him "the best in his field." Riley is simply the best.